Ready for your extreme close-up? Take this macro photography quiz to find out!

Do you know how to capture an image of a buzzing bee, a flower's stamen or the tiniest details on electronic devices? Pit your photography knowledge against a quiz all about close-up shooting.

Start Quiz »

You scored

0 out of 20

Question 1 of 20

True or false: Close-up shots in films are usually referred to as macro shots.

true

false

False. While the term "macro" is used in many close-up situations, it normally refers to a highly magnified photograph, not a moving image.

Question 2 of 20

What is the most important piece of equipment for macro photography?

macro lens

A macro lens, naturally! Without one, it's difficult to take true, high quality macro photographs.

macro filter

wide-angle lens

Question 3 of 20

Which of these pieces of camera gear is the cheapest way to get into macro photography?

macro lens

macro filter

Macro lenses can cost hundreds of dollars. While extension tubes are much cheaper, macro or close-up filters can be had for less than $20.

extension tube

Question 4 of 20

Which of these macro elements attaches to the front of a wide-angle or telephoto lens?

macro filter

A macro filter, or close-up filter, attaches to the very front of a lens and provide some magnification for macro shots.

extension tube

macro focuser

Question 5 of 20

True or false: Extension tubes contain glass that magnifies the subject of a photograph to create a macro shot.

true

false

False. Extension tubes are hollow! They merely increase the distance between the lens and image sensor, which increases magnification.

Question 6 of 20

Some extension tubes contain electrical contacts for what purpose?

magnify an image

zoom

carry a signal from camera to lens

Since extension tubes sit between the camera and lens, they interrupt the electrical signal used to control functionality like autofocus. Contacts bridge that connection.

Question 7 of 20

True or false: The greater the distance between a camera's image sensor and the lens' optical element, the greater the magnification.

true

True. Adding multiple extension tubes will increase magnification, though the focal length of the lens also plays a part.

false

Question 8 of 20

Is depth of field extremely shallow or deep in macro photography?

shallow

Depth of field is extremely shallow in macro photography because the camera is focusing on a subject so close to the lens.

deep

Question 9 of 20

Which of these is a common subject for macro photography?

self-portraits

flowers

Flowers are commonly shot with macro lenses to capture the intricate details that are hard to see with the naked eye.

clothing

Question 10 of 20

A strict definition of macro photography calls for what degree of image magnification?

.25x

1x

One strict definition of macro photography calls for the subject to appear on the camera's image sensor at a 1:1 ratio or greater.

5x

Question 11 of 20

This piece of camera gear is a smart buy for up-close macro shooting.

flash

telephoto lens

tripod

When you're placing the camera mere inches away from the subject, stability is key!

Question 12 of 20

Depth of field can sometimes be mere ___ in macro photography.

millimeters

Millimeters! The shallowness of depth of field in macro photography can make it challenging to keep a subject entirely in focus.

centimeters

meters

Question 13 of 20

What advantages does a 180 mm macro lens offer over a 50 mm macro lens?

greater focusing distance

Longer macro lenses offer higher minimum focusing distances, which makes them easier to use when photographing skittish subjects like insects or animals.

lighter weight

stronger magnification

Question 14 of 20

As in all photography, this basic element of shooting is integral to capturing an excellent macro shot.

wide angle

composition

Smartly composing a shot makes all the difference! Finding the perfect angle and lighting impacts a shot as much as the macro lens, but in the end, frame composition is key across all types of photography.

flash

Question 15 of 20

When photographing macro subjects like insects that are constantly in motion, this camera setting is extremely important.

white balance

photo size

shutter speed

Setting a fast shutter speed will make it much easier to catch an in-focus shot of a speedy subject.

Question 16 of 20

Aside from nature, this realm of photography often makes use of sharp macro close-ups.

product photography

Product photographers often use macro lenses or filters to shoot close-ups on the latest intricate gadgets.

portrait photography

landscape photography

Question 17 of 20

This composition technique comes in handy in all types of photography, not just macro.

rule of thirds

The rule of thirds dictates where the subject is framed in a shot. Instead of placing the subject in the dead center of the shot, the rule of thirds uses an imaginary grid to guide photographers (and other srtists) to position the subject off-center for more interesting composition.

harsh framing

soft framing

Question 18 of 20

What camera company calls its macro lenses "micro" lenses?

Canon

Kodak

Nikon

Nikon differs from the pack and calls its macro lenses micros. Confusing! Just remember that a macro lens magnifies the subject, much like a microscope.

Question 19 of 20

Canon sells a macro lens that can magnify up to an amazing 5 times. How much does it cost?

more than $500

more than $1000

As of early 2012, Canon's 65 mm macro lens retails for $1049!

more than $1500

Question 20 of 20

This icon sometimes denotes a "macro mode" on point-and-click cameras.

the letter M

an eye

a flower

Point-and-clicks normally use a flower to denote macro mode. This mode helps the camera take close-up images.